Great Rail Journeys
Capital Cities of Finland, Estonia & Latvia
Escorted Baltic capitals tour with one train journey between countries
8 daysfrom $2,269
13% rail
Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday
Riga to Tampere: Continental Railway Journey
Travel from the Latvian capital through Estonia to Helsinki and finally to Tampere in Finland on this exciting journey inspired by Michael Portillo.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Riga
Riga
Arrive into Riga and make your way to the Eurostars Metropole (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Founded in 1201, Riga is the largest city in the Baltics with a UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre and Art Nouveau architecture, cobbled streets and riverfront promenades.
- Day 2overnight: Riga
Riga
A full two days exploring cobbled streets and riverfront promenades, with time to soak up the sunshine on one of Riga's river beaches if the weather is fine.
- Day 3overnight: Riga
Riga
A full two days exploring cobbled streets and riverfront promenades, with time to soak up the sunshine on one of Riga's river beaches if the weather is fine.
- Day 4railovernight: Tartu
Riga to Tartu
Travel up to the Estonian border at Valga (payable locally, around €6 per person), then pick up an Estonian train to Tartu in First Class. Check in at the Antonius Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. Tartu straddles the Emajõgi River and is home to one of Northern Europe's oldest universities.
- Day 5overnight: Tartu
Tartu
A full day exploring Tartu, including museums and galleries, 18th century buildings, the ruined 13th century cathedral and the Estonian National Museum, with a vibrant student-driven bar and restaurant scene.
- Day 6overnight: Tallinn
Tallinn
A two-and-a-half-hour journey in First Class to Estonian capital Tallinn, checking in for a 3-night stay at the Hestia Ilmarine Hotel (or similar). Tallinn has a medieval walled Old Town, baroque palaces and café culture on the Gulf of Finland.
- Day 7overnight: Tallinn
Tallinn
Two days at leisure in Tallinn, with time to wander the cobbled streets of the old city and discover some of its 60 museums and galleries.
- Day 8overnight: Tallinn
Tallinn
Two days at leisure in Tallinn, with time to wander the cobbled streets of the old city and discover some of its 60 museums and galleries.
- Day 9overnight: Helsinki
Tallinn to Helsinki
A comfortable ferry for the two-and-a-half-hour journey across the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki, then bus, tram or taxi to the Katajanokka Hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Helsinki is an historic port city with Art Deco architecture, green spaces and an archipelago of around 330 islands.
- Day 10railovernight: Helsinki
Helsinki with day trip to Tampere
A full day exploring the walkable Finnish capital, its shops, galleries, bars and restaurants, parks and seafront promenade, plus an optional ferry from Market Square to the fortress island of Suomenlinna. On one day, a day trip by train to Tampere, Finland's third largest city, set between two vast lakes among at least 200 others.
- Day 11railovernight: Helsinki
Helsinki with day trip to Tampere
A full day exploring the walkable Finnish capital, its shops, galleries, bars and restaurants, parks and seafront promenade, plus an optional ferry from Market Square to the fortress island of Suomenlinna. On one day, a day trip by train to Tampere, Finland's third largest city, set between two vast lakes among at least 200 others.
- Day 12
Helsinki to London
Leave Helsinki for the return flight to London (not included).
Included
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations, with upgrades to First Class in Estonia
- Ferry crossing from Tallinn to Helsinki
- 11 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Not included
- Return flight from Helsinki to London
